Head covering

ABSTRACT

D R A W I N G A HEAD COVERING TO CONFINE THE HAIR SUITABLE FOR USE BY WOMEN, PARTICULARLY FOR DRYING AND SLEEPING PURPOSES, COMPRISING AN ELONGATED MEMBER OF FABRIC OR THE LIKE HAVING ELASTIC MEANS ASSOCIATED WITH THE PERIPHERAL EDGES, AND A CONTRACTABLE HOLE BEING DEFINED IN THE MATERIAL ADJACENT ONE END THEREOF WHEREIN THE OTHER END MAY BE INSERTED WITHIN THE OPENING AND MAINTAINED THEREIN SOLELY BE FRICTIONAL FORCES.

United States Patent [72] lnventor Grace E. McCourtie Brooklyn, Mich. [21] Appl. No. 630,317 [22] Filed Apr. 12, 1967 [45] Patented June 28, 1971 {54] HEAD COVERING 5 Claims, 9 Drawing Figs.

[52 US. Cl 2 207, 2/209.3, 2/198 [51] Int. Cl A42b 5/00 [50] Field oISearch 2/207, 171, 174,198, 201, 202, 203, 204, 205, 209.3 (A), (Headband Digest); 54/80, 3

[56] References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 1,626,433 4/1927 Siner ..2/209.3(A)(Digest) 1,991,982 2/1935 Hodges 2/209.3A(H. Digest) 2,162,608 6/1939 Davis.... 2/209.3A(H. Digest) 2,462,727 2/1949 Danelz 2/207X 2,993,211 7/1961 Sullivan... 2/198X 3,040,336 6/1962 Plank 2/174X 3,197,787 8/1965 Tognan et a1 ..2/209.3A(H.Digest) FOREIGN PATENTS 40,327 3/1916 Sweden 2/202 Primary Examiner-Herbert F. Ross AttorneyBeaman & Beaman ABSTRACT: A head covering to confine the hair suitable for use by women, particularly for drying and sleeping purposes,

comprising an elongated member of fabric or the like having elastic means associated with the peripheral edges, and a contractable hole being defined in the material adjacent one end thereof wherein the other end may be inserted within the opening and maintained therein solely by frictional forces.

HEAD COVERING BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The field of the invention lies in the area of women's head coverings incorporating interengaging portions wherein mating of the interengaging portions maintains the head covering in the desired assembled relationship upon the wearer.

Head coverings which closely confine the head and employ overlapping and interengaging portions are often called turbans and have been of advantage in confining the wearer's hair while it is drying after washing. Examples of prior art of this type are shown in U.S. Pats. Nos. 2,694,204 and 3,213,466. Such prior art devices normally employ clips, elongated ties, fasteners or other extraneous devices for maintaining the head covering in assembled relationship. The use of such ancillary devices adds to the expense and also necessitates the use of additional components to render the head covering operative. Additionally, the use of ties with the head covering material complicates assembly upon the wearers head, and requires a considerable amount of material.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention pertainsto a head covering of the turban type wherein the head covering consists of a single member adapted to closely confine the wearers head, and does not require additional fastening means, clips or ties in order to be maintained in assembled relationship upon the wearer. In essence, the head covering consists of an elongated fabric member, preferably of at least two layers, having an opening defined adjacent one end, and the other end thereof being so shaped as to be received and pulled through the opening. The periphery of the elongated member is sewn with elastic thread or incorporates an elastic flexible member whereby the edges of the member will closely conform to the wearers head when in use. The opening defined in the member is either lined with an elastic thread or band, or associated with an elastic member such that the elastic means tends to contract the opening. Thus, upon receiving the other end of the elongated member, the opening frictionally grasps and maintains the material of the member within the opening. To maintain the head covering upon the wearer, it is merely necessary to wrap the elongated member about the wearers head and insert one end thereof through the elasticized opening, and need for more complex fastening means is eliminated.

Another feature of the invention lies in the improved conforming relationship obtained between the head covering and the wearers head. This improved conforming relationship results from the use of the elastic elements at the periphery of the member, and is also aided by the fact that the material forming the member is cut on the bias with respect to the longitudinal length of the member. Thus, as the member is wrapped around the wearer's head, the material of the member tends to stretch and function in an elastic manner.

A further feature of the invention, which makes the head covering particularly suitable for use while sleeping, results from the fact that the member is preferably formed of two similarly shaped layers interconnected only at their periphery. Thus, one of the layers forms an inner layer disposed toward the wearer's head and the other layer constitutes an outer layer which would engage the pillow and bed linen. The flexible nature of the fabric, the fact that the layers are only interconnected at their periphery, and the use of small spacers interposed between the layers permits lateral displacement between the outer and inner layers as the wearer moves her head relative to the bed clothing. Thus, the relative movement between the layers of the head covering minimizes movement of the wearer's head, causing "pulling" upon the hair, and improved comfort characteristics are obtained. This feature of the invention is particularly advantageous when using the head covering to confine curlers or other hair-setting devices, and wherein such devices remain upon the head during sleeping.

Comfort of the head covering is increased by using a soft foamlike strip of material adjacent the lower edge of the covering which is disposed at the head and neck regions during use. This foamlike material is of such a nature as not to hinder the elastic characteristics of the elongated member lower peripheral edge, yet prevents the elastic characteristics of the lower edge from imposing undue localized forces upon the wearer such as in the region of the ears.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The aforementioned advantages of the invention will be appreciated from the following description and accompanying drawing illustrating two embodiments wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front view of the head covering in accord with the invention as assembled upon the wearer's head;

FIG. 2 is an elevational, right side view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the head covering shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 in its free form;

FIG. 4 is the perspective view of the material from which the head covering may be formed, prior to folding and sewing;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the material forming the head covering after folding and sewing;

FIG. 6 is a perspective, enlarged, detail view of the opening defined in the head covering in accord with the invention;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged, detail sectional view of the spacers utilized between the layers of fabric of the head covering;

FIG. 8 is a front, elevational view of another embodiment of the invention using a net fabric; and

FIG. 9 is a left side, elevational view of the embodiment of FIG. 8.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Preferably, a head covering in accord with the invention consists of an elongated member 10, FIG. 5, which includes a lower edge 12, upper edge 14, and end edges 16 and 18. The elongated member 10 illustrated in full lines in FIG. 5 may be formed from a fabric pattern as illustrated in FIG. 4.

In FIG. 4, a sheet of material 20, preferably a woven fabric or net material, is cut in a square configuration. When cutting the material to form the head covering in accord with the invention, it is highly desirable that the weave of the woven material be on the bias with respect to the longitudinal length of the finished member. Thus, the warp of the material is preferably arranged in the direction indicated by arrow 22. Spacer elements 24, as will be later described, are at this time affixed to the material at the upper half thereof, as indicated. The rectangular sheet is now folded along the line 26 to produce a triangular configuration such as illustrated in FIG. 5 in the full line and dotted lines 28. If the head-covering embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9 is to be produced, no cutting of the folded material takes place. If it is desired to provide the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, the folded material is cut at lines 30 wherein the lines 30 define the upper peripheral edge 14, FIG. 5. Assuming it is desired to form the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, the folded material will be of a configuration, after cutting at lines 30, as shown in FIG. 5, the dotted line portion 28 being removed after cutting at lines 30.

The resulting folded, elongated member is of a truncated triangular configuration, as in FIG. 5, and the upper edges formed by cutting at lines 30 and the end edges are sewn together to form edges 14, 16 and 18, respectively, that the two layers of material may be affixed at the periphery of the member 10. The sewing of the member along the edges 14, 16 and 18 may be accomplished with an elastic thread. However, the most desirable construction is to sew the edges l4, l6 and 18 together with conventional thread and add an elastic strip or thread as an additional component affixed to the member 10 at the edges and parallel to the associated edge.

An elastic strip, thread or similar means 31 is associated with each of the edges 12, I4, 16 and 18 which tend to contract, to a limited degree, the associated edge. Thus, the

An opening or hole 32 is defined adjacent the right end of the member 10, FIG. 5, and elastic thread 34 or other elastic means are associated with the edges of the hole, and elastic means are associated with the edges of the hole, and elastic means 36 may also be sewn parallel to the opening 32, FIG. 6, which tends to contract the opening in its longitudinal direction, yet permits the opening 32 to be extended to receive the left tapered end portion 38 of the member, FIG. 5.

To provide optimum comfort, it is desirable that a padding strip 40 be sewn to the lower edge 12. This padding strip may consist of a length of polyurethane foam material of the soft open cell type, and this material is of a highly flexible nature so as not to interfere with the contraction imposed upon the edge 12 by the elastic means associated therewith.

The spacer elements 24 employed between the layers of the fabric of the elongated member may consist of small omaments or the like which are attached to the outer layer 42 and include a backing member 44 disposed on the inner side of the outer layer. Thus, the backing member 44 is interposed between the outer layer 42 and inner layer 46 and, being formed of a smooth, metallic material, the backing member 44 of the ornaments permits the maintaining of a separation and promotes lateral shifting between the layers of the head covering intermediate the periphery thereof, whereby the layers 42 and 46 may be transversely shifted with respect to each other.

In use, the member is wrapped about the wearers head in a manner which will be apparent from FIGS. 1 and 2. The central portion of the member 10 engages the rear of the wearer's head, and the ends of the member are pulled up and disposed adjacent the upper forehead. The end 38 is inserted into the opening 32 and pulled therethrough whereby a "bow" like appearance is achieved. The appearance of the bow is due to the fact that the opening 32 is set back a distance from the intersection of lower edge 12 and the adjacent end edge 18 a distance which is substantially equal to the distance which the end 38 will be pulled through the opening. Of course, the distance that the member end 38 is pulled through the opening 32 will be somewhat determined by the size of the wearers head and the volume of the wearers hair arrangement.

Upon pulling the member end 38 through the opening 32, it will be apparent the lower edge 12 tensioned by the elastic associated therewith will cause the lower edge 12 to closely conform to the neck and face configuration of the wearer, FIG. 1. The upper edge 14 will not be under such a degree of tension and will be of a configuration as is apparent from FIG. 2. Thus, it will be appreciated that the elastic within the edges 12 and 14 tends to maintain the head covering in close engagement with the wearer's head and hair.

No additional fastening means are required to maintain the member end 38 within the opening 32, as an effective frictional engagement between the opening and the member end received therein is achieved. This frictional engagement results from several structural features. The elastic material or thread 34 associated with the edge of the opening 32 tends to constrict the size of the opening as does the elastic means 36 and, thus, the opening will tend to squeeze" the member end portion 38 received therein. Additionally, the elastic material within the edges 12 and 16, particularly the edge 16, adjacent the member end portion 38, will tend to cause the portion 38 which has-been pulled through the opening 32 to distort and pucker. Thus, after the end portion 38 has been pulled through the opening 32, it tends to expand and, thus, it becomes relatively difficult to pull end portion 38 through the opening in a release or withdrawing direction. Also, since the edges 12 and 16 define a diverging, tapering configuration having a maximum height considerably greater than the length of the opening 32, pulling ofthe end portion 38 into the opening tends to progressively increase the frictional engagement between the end portion and the opening permitting the wearer to adjust" the grip of the opening upon the end portion 38. However, the head covering can be removed from the wearer by grasping the end portion 48 in which the opening is formed and pulling this portion away from the end portion 38 inserted through the opening to overcome the frictional engagement between the opening and the end portion 38 received therein.

The head-covering embodiment of FIGS. 8 and 9 is identical to that of FIGS. 1 and 2, except the elongated member 50 is of a triangular configuration as would result when the sheet material 20 is not cut at lines 30 and the member 50 includes edges 28 as well as edges 16 and 18. The additional portions defined by edges 28 are desirable to retain when the head covering is to be used to confine the wearer's head during sleeping, particularly when hair rollers and other hair-setting devices are worn. By retaining the portion defined by edges 28, the upper portion of the wearers head is substantially covered by the fabric and, thus, curlers or the like located upon the top of the wearer's head will be within the confines of the head covering.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 8 and 9, the elastic thread or strip is utilized throughout the entire periphery of the elongated member, as in the previous embodiment, and the head covering is utilized in a manner similar to that described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

When the purpose of the head covering is primarily to be for aiding the drying of hair, it is desirable to form the head covering ofa woven material utilizing threaded loops which extend from the weave, such as is commonly known as terry cloth. Terry cloth has well-known moisture-absorbing qualities and is of a particular advantage when used with the head covering of the invention, in that the loops of the cloth provide a high coefficient of friction when the end portion 38 of the member 10 is inserted through the opening 32. It will be appreciated that with a high coefficient of friction material, a most effective interconnection between the opening 32 and the member end portion 38 is obtainable.

When the head covering is primarily desired for protecting the hair during sleeping, such as when rollers or curlers might also be used, the preferred material is a net which will permit the circulation of air therethrough. The head covering provides a significant improvement in comfort for the wearer during sleeping, as the use of a pair of layers interconnected only at the periphery and the presence of the spacers 24 permits lateral shifting of the layers relative to each other a significant degree due to their flexible nature. Thus, as the wearer turns her head, the outer layer may remain relatively stationary with respect to the pillow or bed linen, while the inner layer shifts therewith in accordance with the wearers head. This relative shifting of the layers of the head covering minimizes pulling of the hair, particularly when rollers and curlers are being used.

The conforming of the head covering to the wearers head is enhanced by the fact that the pattern of the sheet material 20 is formed on a bias with respect to the longitudinal length of the member 10. Thus, with a woven material, the member 10 is capable of a limited stretching and resiliency in the longitudinal direction which, in conjunction with the elastic thread or strips associated with the periphery of the member, tends to insure that the head covering will conform to the wearers head and hair.

It is appreciated that various modifications to the invention may be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, and it is intended that the invention be defined only by the following claims:

I claim:

1. A head covering comprising, in combination, an elongated member having first and second ends and a peripheral edge including a longitudinally disposed lower edge, elastic means affixed to said peripheral edge tending to contract the associated edge in the longitudinal direction thereof, an opening defined in said member adjacent said first end, elastic means affixed to said member adjacent said opening tending to contract said opening, said second end being of such configuration whereby said member may be pulled about the wearer's head such that said lower edge is disposed adjacent the wearer's face and neck and said second end is inserted into said opening and maintained solely therein by said elastic means tending to contract said opening upon said second end.

2. In a head covering as in claim I, a strip of soft, foamlike material affixed to said member lower edge, said strip permitting resilient expansion and contraction of said lower edge under the influence of the associated elastic means.

3. in a head covering as in claim 1 wherein said member is formed of a woven fabric including a plurality of projecting loops wherein said fabric has a high coefficient of friction when said second end thereof is received within said opening.

4. In a head covering as in claim 1 wherein said member consists of at least two similarly shaped layers of fabric interconnected only at said peripheral edge, and friction-resisting 

